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MN Company Fined $2K For Breaking ND Oil Pipeline

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Minnesota company has been fined $2,000 for hitting an oil pipeline while workers were installing new sewer and water lines near Dickinson.

North Dakota’s Public Service Commission voted Wednesday to impose the fine against Shores Cos. Inc. of Evansville.

Commission Chairman Brian Kalk says Shores has declined to respond to agency questions about the incident in October 2011. He said the company didn’t show up for a hearing to explain its version of events.

Shores Cos. President Dennis Shores did not respond Wednesday to telephone messages left for comment. He said in an April letter to the commission that the pipeline’s location hadn’t been adequately marked.

Kalk says the accident spilled about 8,000 gallons of oil southeast of Dickinson. He said Shores didn’t follow state digging notification rules.